By Mitch Bach

a bulldog's bark

Ayomanor, Dovichak racing for gold at Legion Youth Nationals

Aug 2, 2019 | 5:26 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The local Bulldogs Track and Field Club is sending two of Alberta’s best to Nova Scotia next week to compete for national hardware.

16-year-old Elic Ayomanor and 14-year-old Jayel Dovichak will join head coach Sean Freeman at Legion Youth Nationals at Cape Breton University from August 7-13.

It’s the second time both athletes will represent Team Alberta at the Canada-wide event. However, both are heading to the Maritimes with a fresh perspective.

Ayomanor will take the start-line in the 200-meter and 400-meter races. Last summer, the local product was limited to sprinting in the 100-meter dash due to a mild tear in his back.

Dovichak, from Tilley, is Alberta’s best shot in the 80-meter hurdles event and pentathlon. She captured gold in both at U16 Provincials last weekend, setting two records in the pentathlon. Much has changed over the course of one year, seeing Dovichak only competed in high-jump last August, finishing 11th.

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Freeman is also the head coach of Alberta’s Youth Team, and says last year’s experience at nationals will benefit all of his returning athletes.

Mitch Bach of CHAT Sports caught up with the two athletes to learn more about their expectations in Nova Scotia. Plus, Freeman discusses how they’ve improved over the course of the summer, and how special it is to compete among some of the best in the country.

Upon returning from the week-long event, Ayomanor will hop back onto a plane destined for New Jersey. He’ll quickly begin a new chapter in his athletic career, teaming up with one of the most prolific high school football programs in the USA, Peddie High School.